Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-08-03
BEN'S FOREIGN SERV ICE

Up at the hall was general com
MOTION. Mr.. Westley, the owner Of
Weatley Grange, had come pretty
nearly to the end of his tether. He
dad but lately succeeded to the es'
tate, and it had come to him very
heavily encountered; and now, with
reduced rents, irregularly paid, ne
found it impossible to go on. He
had, therefore, determined to spend
q couple Of years on the continent,
during which time he hoped that the
agricultural depressions would pass
away.
The establishment at the hall was
not large one by any means for a
country bachelor squire, but it was
larger than ne could afford to keep up
under existing circumstances. So one
evening ne called his servants to-
.gether end told them how matters
we're With him, bidding them seek
other institutions at once.
His personal servant, Ben Hlgglngs,
was not included in the general dis
mIssal, but was destined to accom-
pany bis master abroad. Ben was
one OF those men not unfreQuently
met with in this country-a man who
could turn mis- hand TO most things,
though ne might not be good at any.
The position ne held at Westley
Grange was q cross between valet
aud gamekeeper, but at odd times
he had been known to cook his
M aster's dinner and make his mas
ter's bed. This was during q grOusing
expedition to the Welsh Hills, but the
rumor of it had travelled to Westley.
Ben was IN nign spirits when he was
told OF the journey IN store for him.
"I'lI teacn these foreigners thing
or two," he said to the cook one
night: to which she replied: "You be
very careful. Mr.. Ben, that they don't
teach you more than you teach
them
Them" he cried; "them teach me
Why. could wollop the lot OF 'em, II
wanted to-"
Then you mind that you don't
want to" she answered.
Why. you know very we'll" con-
tinued Ben, "that 1set your watch go
ing after James, the matchmaker,
had had it a month, and couldn't
make nothing oft; and | stopped the
blue bedroom chimbly smoking, when
the smoke had nearly druv you all out
o. the place"
Rubbish" she said. THE watch
Only wanted winding; and as for the
cnImbIy, II smoked because there was
g. b=g OF straw in It. You needn't
crow over them thinge, young
man
Yes, there was q little i'll feeling on
the part OF the cook toward Ben.
She had claimed him for her own orig
InaIlv. but Ben had fought shy; and
la6teriy ne had paid a good deal oil
attention to Anna, the housemaid at
the cectorr. Either fault alone, on
Ben's part, would have made the
cook somewhat aggrieved toward
him, but the two combined was more
than culinary flesh ana blood could
stand. Thus it happened that her
tongue had an excess or acerblty
when moving at Ben.
Down at the rectory the commotion
was nearly as general. The servants
discussed the situation from morning
till night and Anna received many un-
pleasant jeers.
Stick to you!" said the coachman
''uot he. Them sort never sticks to
nothing but their baccy. When you
says good by to Ben, you says good
by forever, ny lass"
'sHe can please himself" she said;
Shut if he thinks I shall die broken
hearted because ne takes on with
some foreign girl, he's very much mis-
took"
That's always the way with you
women folk. You talk as big,
and when it comes to, you doubles up
20 nothing"
But Ben and mes different" said
Anna. 'sIf he's not in earnest, no
more arn't l." Which was, perhaps,
Cousoiatory.
The time slipped rapidly by, and it
wanted but day till Ben and his
nlastersnould start for the continent.
That night Ben repaired to the rec
tory, and had g. parting interview
with Anna. His last words were:
''You'u not forget me, Anna, when |
am parted from you? I'm a-coming
back for you some day. Till then, no
river ("
It'll WHAT"
That's bit OF French, my dear.
I've bin learning the laugwidge lately.
It's something ike 'goodby,' only
more go. Ho riyer!" And go they
parted.
u the course OF q few weeks Ben
aud nis master were comfortably set
tied IN a small German village near
Bonn. Tbs house where they had
made their home was an old farm
house that had once belonged to g.
noble family, but was now fallen to
decay. It was inhabited by the pres.
ent owner, who carried on the bust
mesa OF small farmer and wine grow
er. He had neither wife nor child, the
domestic functions being superintend-